FARMINGTON — The mother of a man who died in the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City encouraged University of Maine at Farmington graduates Saturday to work toward reducing terrorism.

"You carry with you our hope for a better world," Sally Goodrich said before an audience of 400 graduates and their families.

"Go forth and join the great struggle. Farmington has equipped you well to direct your life in ways that are good for you and the overlapping communities of this small world," she said.

The ceremonies were held inside the Fitness and Recreation Center.

Goodrich's son, Peter, died at age 33 as a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane to strike the World Trade Center in 2001.

Now a teacher in North Adams, Mass., Goodrich said she and her husband chose to honor their son's memory by creating the Peter M. Goodrich Foundation, which raised money to build and support a school for 500 girls in Afghanistan.

There, she said, they depended on Americans and Afghans alike to teach them how to behave honorably and minimize unintended harm.

Class speaker Jessica Longstreet of Georgetown told her fellow graduates they need to be more involved in the world.

"It is not enough to talk about the problems we see around us each day," Longstreet said. "Talking does not solve all problems. We need to stand behind our words. We need to get messy, jump into the situations we want to fix."

Liz Lerman of Takoma Park. Md., a choreographer and leader in contemporary dance, and Roger G. Spear, UMF's leading financial officer for nearly 40 years before retiring, received honorary doctor of humane letters degrees.

Continuing a tradition, UMF President Theodora J. Kalikow singled out a member of the graduating class for special accomplishment. Brian London of Bath is an honors student who Kalikow said was a learner of everything, ranging from geology to photography.

KENNEBUNK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Hundreds of black-gowned graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield celebrated with their families Saturday morning after receiving diplomas, degrees and certificates in ceremonies held at the Augusta Civic Center.

Sara Burns, president and chief executive officer of Central Maine Power Co., urged the community college graduates to anticipate and embrace change.

"When you wake up tomorrow -- a newly minted graduate of this fine college -- put your feet on the floor beside the bed and try to feel the ground shifting under you," she said. "Everything's changing, and you want to see it coming. Get in front of it. Seize it. Make it yours and you will be a success."

Honored at graduation were Greg M. Sabins of Union, who won the Bernard King Award "for academic excellence, dedication and sincerity." Sabins held a 4.0 grade point average in his quest for an applied science degree in precision machining technology.

Rebecca Cirillo of Waterville, a 2004 graduate of the college's occupational therapy assistant program, was honored as distinguished alumna.

The Aaron Levine Outstanding Student Award was presented to Jared Paradee of Farmington, occupational therapist assistant program and Sacha Genest of Sidney, nursing program.

The Fred Whitney Award went to Debra Irish of Clinton, business administration, and Christopher Wands of Oakland, respiratory therapy program.